"We are shocked by last night’s terrible events at the Manchester Arena. Our thoughts go out to everyone affected," Maiden proclaimed on their official social media channels, quickly adding, "We can advise fans that our last three U.K. shows in Cardiff and at London's O2 will proceed as planned." Yet as intent as they are on fulfilling their concert obligations, the band has also made it clear that "any extra means to ensure fan safety are being examined with the relevant authorities."

Maiden, performing throughout the U.K. since early May, are in the midst of their Book of Souls world tour, which picked up in February 2017 and will see the group return to North America for a closing leg during June and July.

The specter of violence has loomed over the shows from the start — as singer Bruce Dickinson admitted in an interview early on, the band couldn't help but consider the terrorist attack that erupted during an Eagles of Death Metal show at the Bataclan in Paris on Nov. 13, 2015.

"You've gotta be grown up about it," Dickinson said regarding the threat of an attack. "But, at the same time, you still need to be able to offer people that hope and send that message out there. They can't stop ... real life just carries on."